“It makes a lot of sense when you think about it” stated McCoy. “It’s reasonable to suggest that if you obstruct the nerves exiting the spine, the result of the obstruction can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting these structural shifts reduces nerve obstruction, bringing about marked improvement in people who are experiencing a variety of maladies.”

Ordinarily, people suffering from disorders such as hypothyroidism may be given medications to cover up their symptoms. Uncovering the cause of the problem is a much better strategy. One such cause is thought to be structural shifts in the spine - more commonly known as vertebral subluxations by doctors of chiropractic. These vertebral subluxations result in nerve obstruction. It’s these obstructions that may cause symptoms such as those seen in this study, and doctors of chiropractic correct these obstructions.

The patient reported on in the study was a 49-year-old man with neck, back, and shoulder pain as well low energy, fatigue and slurred speech. He was previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism and place on Synthroid.

The chiropractor examined the man, took x-rays and found significant structural shifts in his neck, mid back, low back and pelvis. He had a loss of the normal curve in his neck. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.

After instituting chiropractic care the patient experienced resolution of his pain, his energy, fatigue and speech improved, he was able to lower his medication dosage and the curve in his neck improved.

According to McCoy, these results suggest a possible link between thyroid function and spinal subluxations. Correcting the subluxations through the use of specific chiropractic adjustments are believed to have returned this man's function to normal.

The authors call for further research on chiropractic and thyroid function.